Tallahassee, FL - The Florida Economic Development Council has announced that Kim Williams, chairman of the Economic Development Council of Tallahassee/Leon County (EDC) is the recipient of the 2011 Richard L. McLaughlin Economic Development of the Year Award for the northwest, Florida region.

The Economic Development Volunteer of the Year Award is named in honor of Richard L. McLaughlin who firmly believed in the significance of volunteer contributions to the achievement of economic development goals for the state. McLaughlin was the second president of the Florida Economic Development Council in 1965. In honor of his contributions, one outstanding volunteer is recognized annually in each of the eight FEDC districts.

Kim Williams was selected for his six-year commitment to the EDC as an investor and board member. In addition to acting as chair elect for two years, chairman for two years, he will serve as immediate past chair following his term which ends in October 2011.

Kim continues to create jobs through his own businesses, where he acts as owner, majority shareholder and partner in a half-dozen businesses employing 90 individuals. Among these notable companies are Marpan Supply Company, Marpan Recycling and Hamilton Leasing Partnership.

“Kim was instrumental in the creation of the new Tallahassee Community College Advanced Manufacturing Training Center providing customized skills training for existing and emerging workforces,” said Beth Kirkland, EDC executive Director. “He also helped launch an Entrepreneurial Excellence Program to provide resources to university researchers and companies commercializing new technologies.”

During his chairmanship, Kim has filled the Tallahassee job creation pipeline with several QTI awarded projects to include a corporate headquarters, three projects around the commercialization of university research, the expansion of a Fortune 500 IT company and the construction of a new surgical center including a unique workforce-development observation room.

For more information on the Economic Development Council of Tallahassee/Leon County, please call 850.224.8116 or www.TalEDC.com.

About the Economic Development Council of Tallahassee/Leon County, Inc.:

The Economic Development Council of Tallahassee/Leon County, Inc. (EDC) is a public/private partnership between the City, County and private investors who are committed to creating jobs and building a stronger business community. By connecting the private sector, education and local government, the EDC helps join forces to foster entrepreneurialism, advance local businesses, grow targeted industry sectors and attract innovative companies to our area. By supporting new business development, providing technical assistance and advocacy to regional employers, as well as managing a suite of business retention, expansion and attraction resources, the EDC is aggressively serving the needs of regional employers and creating an opportunity for our graduates and our children to stay in Tallahassee.

Online Public Information File

Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or fccinfo@fcc.gov.